Caritas Australia welcomed a delegation from Timor-Leste comprised of church and
government representatives to Sydney on Thursday morning. Also present were
members of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation and Catholic Relief Services.

The delegation is visiting Australia on a cross-cultural visit as part of the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade and WWF project called ‘Transforming Rural Lives through
Adaptation and Carbon Capture’ (TRACC).

Managed by Caritas Australia, the TRACC project uses nature-based solutions to reduce
deforestation and promote agroforestry, at the individual, community, and government
level to protect and restore critical ecosystems and build community resilience.

The project aims to empower local communities to protect and rehabilitate forest
ecosystems.

Representatives from implementing partners, the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation and
Catholic Relief Services, were joined by Caritas Australia CEO Kirsty Roberston and
staff.

In addressing the delegation, Caritas Australia CEO Kirsty Roberston said ‘It is through
our fraternal cooperation that we, as brothers and sisters, journey together sharing our
knowledge and learning from each other with our ultimate destination to serve the most
vulnerable and our earth”.

“The expertise and experience gathered in this room should give us all confidence in the
ongoing success of this project and serve as an outstanding example for future
endeavours.”

The group has travelled from far north Queensland, where it met with traditional owners
and spent time on country, to Canberra, where it met with government organisations, the
carbon industry and clean energy regulators to share knowledge and explore
opportunities.

Media contact: Aline Peres 0472 699 656 / aline.peres@caritas.org.au

Note: Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia’s CEO is available for interview.

ENDS